The Master of Music Composition program at Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» is at the hub of a creative community hallmarked by artistic excellence and multidisciplinary collaboration. The program is rich with performance opportunities. Since the arrival of Dr. Edward Knight in 1997, over 1,400 works – solo pieces, soundtracks, film scores, sacred works, immersive multimedia, ballet and modern dance, chamber music, theatrical events, and compositions for choir and orchestra – written by Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» composers from five continents have been premiered on and around campus.
The student-led composer consortium, Project 21: Music of the 21st Century, stages eight or more concerts of new works each year. In addition, university orchestra, bands and choirs regularly read and record student compositions.
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Through workshopping and performance, Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» composition majors gain insight into how music works, developing compositional techniques that empower them to develop their unique, authentic voice. Professional skills are emphasized, encouraging student composers to organize rehearsals and performances, building a network of fellow artists: singers, dancers, actors, choreographers, lyricists, filmmakers, game designers, lighting designers, and instrumentalists
The promise of regular performances provides composers with deadlines, the opportunity to hear their work played by skilled musicians and ensembles, and the inspiration and incentive to experiment, take chances and push boundaries as they reach across disciplines to create the music of our time.
| Program of Study | Credit Hours: | 32 | ||||||
| Required Courses: (projected semester rotation subject to change) | 17 | |||||||
| MUS 5113 Theory in Perspective (fall) or | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5163 Analytical Techniques (fall) or | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5133 Nineteenth-Century Analysis (fall) | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5153 The Performing Teacher-Scholar (fall) | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5213 Twentieth Century Music, Style, and Structure (spring) | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5372-5472 Applied Music: Major Performance Medium | 8 | |||||||
| One of the following courses (except vocal performance and guitar performance): | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5623 Orchestral Literature Seminar (spring) or | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5723 Organ Literature Seminar (spring, odd) or | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5823 Keyboard Literature Seminar (spring, odd) or | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5923 Wind Literature Seminar (spring) or | 3 | |||||||
| Vocal Performance: Two of the following courses are required: | 4 | |||||||
| MUS 5422 Vocal Literature Seminar 1: German Lieder (fall, odd) | 2 | |||||||
| MUS 5532 Vocal Literature Seminar 2: French Melodies (spring, even) | 2 | |||||||
| MUS 5632 Vocal Literature Seminar 3: Italian and Spanish Song (fall, even) | 2 | |||||||
| MUS 5732 Vocal Literature Seminar 4: Songs in English (spring, odd) | 2 | |||||||
| Guitar Performance: | 4 | |||||||
| MUS 5822 Guitar Literature I (fall) | 2 | |||||||
| MUS 5922 Guitar Literature II (spring) | 2 | |||||||
| Other Requirements: | 11 - 12 | |||||||
| MUS 6071 Recital | 1 | |||||||
| MUS 6072 Graduate Comprehensive Review Project | 2 | |||||||
| MUS 5102 Musicological Methods (fall) | 2 | |||||||
| Electives | 6 - 7 | |||||||
Scores: Please upload three PDF scores to your University Application on Slate.
Recordings: Upload acoustic or MIDI recordings along with your corresponding PDF scores.
Interview: An in-person or remote interview will be scheduled with Dr. Edward Knight.
Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» our Music Auditions page for more information and dates.
The Wanda L. Bass School of Music is proud to offer Graduate Assistantships in the following areas:
Graduate Assistantships include a full tuition waiver and stipend.
Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»'s graduate assistantships require ongoing ensemble participation and are contracted for 10 hours, which provides our graduate students with the freedom to pursue practice time, gigging, competitions, and projects.
